Tag Archives: New Soccer Stadium

There’s an interesting take on the whole soccer stadium issue over at The Baltimore Sun.

They make the argument that if Governor O’Malley can seek eminent domain (and in the process spend tens of millions) of to save a dying industry (horse racing), what’s the problem with spending a couple hundred thousand to explore the potential economic benefits of MLS soccer? It’s a great question, but unfortunately we’ll never know, at least not for Prince George’s County.

As we blogged about yesterday, it’s time to move on and focus on another Maryland location for our beloved United.

By a vote of 17 to 7, the House Appropriations Committee has given a favorable vote to a bill allowing the Maryland Stadium Authority to study the feasibility and economic cost of building a soccer stadium in Prince George’s County for D.C. United. But first committee members further amended the bill to reconfirm–really, truly, they mean it– that nothing in the measure would obligate the state to spend a dime more than the study nor commit the state to ultimately building the stadium.

It is not yet clear if the full House intends to attempt to take the bill up twice before the end of the day, as would be necessary for the body to give approval to the bill before tonight’s crossover deadline. After tonight, bills that pass one chamber are not guaranteed a hearing before the other chamber. D.C. United President Kevin Payne said he believes the study, which Stadium Authority officials estimated would cost $150,000 to $200,000, is a good idea. “We hope everyone will agree it makes sense to spend a little time to find out if it makes sense. That’s all we ask.”

This is great news, but it is only the first step. There’s a lot of work to go still. The next thing we need to focus on is call Prince George’s County Council. Vamos United!

House Bill 1282 will be voted on tomorrow, Monday March 30th, at 11am! Start calling the House Appropriations Committee and tell them you support the bill and United in Prince George’s County! Click here for the list of who to call.

We were so close to taking the opener in LA, but at least we got outta there with the tie and a point. There’s another chance for a W this Saturday when we take on the Chicago Fire at RFK.

When you go to the game on Saturday, take a look around. As much as we all love RFK, it really is beginning to show it’s age. You all have done an amazing job so far, but we need to continue our efforts to let our elected officials know that we support a new stadium in Prince George’s County.

Based on this article in Saturday’s Washington Post, some state lawmakers are questioning the need for HB 1282 to be approved this year. We can’t stress enough how harmful this will be to our stadium efforts should they succeed in delaying the process. There’s simply too much at stake for the future of our beloved team.

Below is an email list of the Prince George’s County Delegation/Appropriations Committee. Copy and paste it into the “To” section of a new email. It will send your message of support to all of them. Tell them 2 things:

1.) You strongly support the new stadium; and

2.) You want it to happen this year. Our elected officials need to hear from you!

Delegate Justin Ross sends out a monthly newsletter to his constituents called The Ross Report. In this month’s issue, he mentions the soccer stadium and House Bill 1282. He says, “I am looking at all the information as this plan moves forward. I ask that you take part in the survey below and share your feelings with me on this subject.”

IF YOU LIVE IN DELEGATE ROSS’ DISTRICT (GREENBELT, NEW CARROLLTON, HYATTSVILLE) PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR HIS NEWSLETTER AND TAKE THE POLL.